Archive for February 2009

In an interview with USA Today, Tiki Barber, a former New York Giants star who walked away from the NFL and into NBC Universal, where he serves as a correspondent for the Today show and studio analyst on Football Night in America, was quoted saying that Pine Island in Currituck County is his favorite vacation spot. Barber sited Pine Island as a preferred vacation destination for his family along with other locations such as Prague and Lake Como in Italy. This endorsement, of course, is better for us than any paid ad!

Q: What’s your favorite vacation spot and why?

A: Pine Island, N.C. We rent a house right on the beach and go down every Fourth of July week with four other families. It’s so relaxing to spend the days on the beach with the kids, and take turns cooking dinner, but most importantly, to escape from New York without an agenda for seven days.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: If you’re thinking about booking a house for the week at Pine Island, do it “yesterday.” The good houses go quickly. And if you get a chance, get a four-wheel drive vehicle and go see the wild horses at the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

The Town of Duck has received positive feedback on the Property Check Program & Video Services offered to resident homeowners & realty companies commending the officers who have performed this service for the community since November.

For all properties in the Town of Duck that enrolled in the program, officers routinely check at least 10 properties per shift for open windows, doors & other signs of unauthorized entry as well as water leaks, etc. When an officer finds an unsecured residence, the homeowner or rental company is notified. If it appears that a crime has occurred, it is further investigated.

The video service is conducted by appointment to inventory personal property in the home. Model and serial numbers are recorded as well. This service provides visual records of the property.

Emails from citizens were shared with town residents to express general approval of the programs:

“Thank you so much for offering this service. Very nice touches to help absent homeowners feel a little more secure.”

“Thank you for providing such a valuable service, especially to out of town property owners. This is truly a great return for our taxes.”

“Thank you for giving us some peace of mind as out-of-state property owners who adore Duck, NC.”

“The Duck Police Department and public safety folks really do an outstanding job, and we appreciate it.”

“Wonderful – thank you so much!! Gives us a much more comfortable feeling about leaving to know that the patrol officers will watch over the home.”

Something wild and new is coming to the Outer Banks this spring – OBX Gearworks Laser Tag & Fun Center located in the new shopping complex at 2420 South Croatan Highway in Nags Head! There’s nothing like this offered on the island – interactive, high-tech adventure like the video games you play except you are a part of the game this time.

“You’re in a dark abandoned industrial complex, aware that around every corner an adversary could be lurking, awaiting your arrival. Your senses are on high-alert, because you’re looking for them as well. But they don’t know that. Yet.”

You are instructed on how to use the equipment, play the game by tagging an opposing vest to score points, destroy bases and outposts, earn bonus points and power-ups, and any instructions specific to the game format you are playing. Then vested up for action.

There system boosts to have North Carolina’s only Urban Quest laser tag arena which is installed in over 200 sites world wide. There are many game formats designed for a variety of challenges ranging from solo play, general team play, structured team building to advance game to challenge the most experienced players.

Gearworks also has inflatables, arcades, concessions, and free-wifi! Pricing based on number of players and games played.

PreserveBeachAccess.org is supported by the Dare County Board of Commissioners in partnership with the Dare County Tourism Board. A grassroots movement by a diverse group of people with a common interest dedicated to Preserving Access to America’s Beaches and believes in the basic principle that people and nature can live together in harmony.

The web site contains extensive information about the beach closures last summer season in Cape Hatteras and how this affects the rights of people to use our National Parks everywhere.

The web site encourages your participation, involvement and comments in order to preserve access for people to responsibly enjoy the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area (CHNSRA). There is already a growing database of supporters and you can stay informed of the latest beach access news by subscribing to their e-mail newsletter by submitting your request online. For more information on the grassroots movement to Preserve Access to America’s Beaches, contact Dorothy Toolan, at 252-475-5903.

Every homeowner, whether it is a primary residence or investment income property, can appreciate this kind of expo! Presented by the Outer Banks Home Builders Association, more than 70 booths will be on display for the general public at the Outer Banks Mall at Milepost 14.5 in Nags Head on Saturday, April 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A plethora of areas are covered in homebuilding and remodeling. Look for great inspiration in technological advancements in products and services, financing, insuring, landscaping, pools and spas, storm protection, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, heating and cooling, home furnishing and décor, appliances, green building products, and more.

This is a free event; however, canned food donations or other non-perishable items will be accepted for the local Food Pantry. For all the details, call 252.449.8232.

Make energy-efficiency improvements on your vacation rental home on the Outer Banks this year and take a credit for up to $500 on your 2009 tax return. Energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs and certain heating and cooling equipment qualify.

Your credit can be 10 percent of the cost, up to the $500 cap. For information, visit www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm.

Source: Dominion North Carolina Power Customer Connection January 2009 Edition

The Stelzer Family of St. Henry, Ohio will enjoy their vacation this year compliments of Carolina Designs Realty! In appreciation for making an early reservation through Carolina Designs Realty, their reservation was entered into an Early Payment Contest. All bookings with the initial payment received by January 31st, 2009 were eligible to win. Their name was selected at random by the Mayor of Duck, Neil Morrison. Photos of the drawing are available on the Carolina Designs Realty website, www.carolinadesigns.com. This year, it really paid to reserve early!

On behalf of Carolina Designs Realty, please allow me to congratulate you on your very special plans to wed! We have 89 properties available for special events and weddings. To view these homes, simply go to the home page of our web site. At the top, choose the tab, Index of Homes, you will see a category icon that you can click called Vacation Rental Homes that allow special events.

Please be aware that wedding rentals require extra maintenance, cleaning and management during the week. In an attempt to properly maintain the property and manage the extra time and attention that guests require, we have policies for weddings for the 2009 season.

There will be an addendum to the lease pertaining to weddings that requires your signature and must be returned with the signed lease agreement. Specifically note that:

Þ Carolina Designs Realty allows a maximum number of 50 guests during the wedding;
Þ There is an additional event fee incurred by the renter in the amount of $1,500. The fee will defray the cost involved in the logistics of these events and ensure minimal “wear and tear” on the property;
Þ Wedding events require a security deposit in the amount of $2,000 in the form of a bank check thirty days prior to the arrival date;
Þ Alternative parking arrangements for your guests will need to be made in advance (on-street parking is not allowed).

Again, we look forward to assisting you with your special plans by providing exceptional service to meet all of your needs for this special day.

Carolina Designs Realty offers Trip Interruption Insurance through Travel Guard as an available option on each reservation. The fee for the insurance is 6.9% of the total amount.

Travel Guard understands that your vacation can take a year to save for, but only a second to ruin. While you can’t do anything to prevent an unexpected storm from closing the airport, you can do something to help cover your travel investment. Travel insurance can provide you coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage damage, and much more.

Most importantly, the policy covers standard trip interruption due to medical emergencies and mandatory evacuation days due to weather. But the policy offered through Carolina Designs Realty offers much, much more. If you experience employer termination, military duty, layoffs or job transfers, Travel Guard offers coverage if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for these reasons and a mired of others as well. *

A detailed description of the policy is located for your review on the home page of our web site and option offered with every reservation made through Carolina Designs Realty. Rely on the piece of mind that Travel Guard can provide you when it comes to your vacation investment.

*Certain conditions and restrictions apply. Please refer to the stated policy from Travel Guard for all details regarded the insurance offered through Carolina Designs Realty.